A section of residents in Eldoret town has claimed that the Thursday court rulings against Sirisia Member of Parliament (MP) John Waluke and former Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya were politically influenced.
The rulings were pronounced on October 6, 2022, with the High Court upholding the 67-year jail handed to Waluke. A court also reversed a decision to aquit Kimunya over a Ksh60 million fraud case.
But reacting to the two rulings, Japheth Kiplimo, a resident of Eldoret said that the judiciary is no longer independent. He argues with recent decisions, it is unlikely that justice will prevail in fraud charges that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing.
“I expect the judiciary to uphold the rule of law in accordance with the laid regulations in the constitution. Both Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza coalition leaders should be treated with respect to the constitution not according to their political affiliation,” said Kiplimo.
Similar sentiments were shared by Peter Kiprotich, a businessperson in Eldoret who was of the opinion that politicians allied to the opposition were being unfairly targeted.
Just ruling
“I am looking forward to a court system which rules future cases without leaning on any side which may seem either brilliant or weak to defend themselves. Every decision should be controlled by the constitution and not influenced,” said Kiprotich.
The Anti-Corruption Division at the High Court in Nairobi on Thursday dropped charges against five Kiambu County tender committee members who had been charged alongside former Governor Ferdinand Waititu in an Sh588 million graft case.
Coincidentally, It was the same day that Waluke’s appeal against the court ruling on his case was dismissed and earlier jail term maintained. The court had jailed the Sirisia MP for 67 years with an option of paying a Ksh1 billion fine.
Further, another court also directed that Kimunya who served as the leader of the majority in the 12th parliament be judged afresh.
Kimunya had been acquitted in a Ksh60 million land fraud case.
